“They always say it’s one thing to hear them on record and a totally different thing to see them in concert, and that’s completely accurate,” adds Engel “They’re more of a live-audience band because you just never know what you’re going to get from show to show, and they’re fans love that. There’s a ton of improv going on, they have a ton of songs they’ve written and covered over the years, and the sets lists are never the same from show to show.”

Furthur’s lead guitarist is John Kadlecik, a former member of the tribute band Dark Star Orchestra that famously recreates Grateful Dead set lists exactly as they occurred on certain dates, cities and venues throughout the band’s 30-year history (1965-’95). His physical appearance is nothing like Garcia’s, but his voice and guitar skills are astoundingly similar.

“That’s a cool story in itself,” says Engel. “It’s almost like [the TV reality series] Rock Star — one minute you’re playing in a Dead tribute band, and the next minute you’re actually playing with members of the Grateful Dead themselves.”

New York Rangers forward Sean Avery is a music fan who was on hand at last year’s Bonnaroo covering the event for Fuse. Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio is a fan of his work and the feeling is mutual. In a post to his Twitter from earlier today, Avery writes, “Down With Disease” is the NYR song for the stretch run people….....let’s get this show going!” We’ll see what happens when his NHL season resumes tomorrow.